INC Research expands Asian presence with South Korea facility

INC Research has expanded its Asian operations, opening a new office in Seoul that will focus on study start-up and clinical operation activities.

It will be managed by Dr Jessica Liu, general manager, and Lee Sun-Mee, associate director of clinical operations and site head for South Korea, and concentrate on increasing access to patients and improving clinical trial efficiency.

The contract research organisation's (CRO) move was prompted by government efforts that have seen infrastructure improvements, including the setting up of centres of excellence for clinical trials, and a streamlining of regulatory pathways.

Kelvin Logan, president Asia/Pacific at INC Research, said: "The South Korean government has renewed its focus on healthcare and clinical development leading to a dramatic increase in the opportunities for biopharmaceutical companies' drug development programmes.

"Our expanded team is equipped to help customers take advantage of the benefits of conducting clinical trials in this region, while navigating through the developing regulatory environment and leveraging support resources."

The country's pharmaceutical market has seen five years of double-digit growth and South Korea is considered the fastest-growing developed country by IMS Health.

Although healthcare spending in general is low compared to other OECD nations, pharma expenditure is around 24 per cent of the total national health insurance system's bill.

The new office adds to INC Research's existing bases across Asia in countries such as China, India, the Philippines and Thailand.